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Wine Description
The Story
The vintage Piper is a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes which have elegantly mingled to create this deep, complex, fruit-driven champagne, abound with fresh, lively notes of citrus and a clean, zesty finish. The latest vintage offering is lush long and packed with finesse. Be sure to have a bottle or two on hand for the races.
What Piper-Heidsieck has been able to achieve in the past decade or so is nothing short of sensational. Winemaking responsibilities fall in the exceptionally competent hands of Chef de Cave, Régis Camus. Régis, considered a ‘god’ like figure in the region, was crowned Sparkling Winemaker of the year by the International Wine Challenge in 2013 for the eighth time!
Vintage 2014
This year was all about alternating weather patterns. A particularly wet winter gave way to a warm and dry spring. May saw some rain, and even though late June-brought about a minor heatwave, the remainder of the summer was moist and murky. Disease pressure was lifted but once again fine, hot September weather was able to save and concentrate the crop. A large crop (11,553 kg/ha) was picked from September 8th onwards. The year's biggest problem was the sour rot caused by the drosophila suzukii flies. It, and the challenging weather, demanded plenty of care and selection work in the vineyards. The results are variable. The year was especially demanding for Pinot Meunier from the Vallée de la Marne, which received a lot of rainfall and was troubled by both mildew and sour rot. With an average potential alcohol of 10.0% and total acidity of 8.3 g/l, 2014 looks good on paper and so too in the glass, despite its challenges. The successful wines come with attractive fruit, lovely vibrant acidity and an overt easiness to them.